Four Prongs Ginseng and Herb cultivates and manages four acres of forest-farmed medicinal herbs in the Boone and Blowing Rock area. Our main focus is wild-simulated ginseng that we are producing from seed and rootlets. We are also cultivating goldenseal and false-unicorn (or star root) that will eventually be available as tea or tinctures. Our "Four Prongs Ginseng Tea" is made using the leaves of American ginseng, which have the same active compounds as the root, but with a milder, earthy flavor. Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to increase energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduce stress.

Practices

Over the last four years, we have planted over 25 lbs of ginseng seed and have transplanted over 1,500 wild and wild-simulated plants onto native forest lands. Ginseng leaves are harvested between July and September when the foliage is the most bioactive. The leaves are then dried and ground by hand. Traditionally, ginseng leaves and stems are discarded when harvesting the root. Our goal is to harvest leaves and produce tea from the plants until roots reach optimal size & age for harvest (over 10 years old).